Voi rides on in London borough despite council order
Voi is continuing to operate hundreds of e-bikes in Ealing despite the council choosing Lime and Forest to run its new rental scheme, CityAM understands.
The Swedish e-bike operator has not removed its fleet after its previous agreement with the west London council expired at the end of July, leaving three companies operating in a borough that has chosen to work with two.
Voi is pushing Ealing to reconsider the decision and allow it to continue operating under a council agreement. Talks between the two sides are ongoing.
The dispute highlights a problem facing councils across London as they try to bring order to the rapid growth of rental e-bikes.
Unlike e-scooters, rental e-bikes do not currently operate under a single licensing system. Boroughs can agree rules with companies covering issues such as parking, fleet sizes and data sharing, but those agreements do not necessarily prevent another company from putting bikes on their streets.
Ealing previously had agreements with Voi and Lime, while Forest also operated bikes in the borough without one.
The council reviewed the arrangement this year and has now chosen Lime and Forest for its new scheme.
CityAM understands the process used to reach that decision did not give Ealing sufficient grounds to exclude Voi from the borough.
However, the company wants to continue operating with the council’s backing rather than outside its scheme.
Harry Foskin, senior public affairs manager at Voi, told CityAM: “Voi has a strong track record of working in partnership with local authorities to run well managed schemes.”
“We are continuing to operate in Ealing while discussions with the council remain ongoing and our ambition is to find a solution that works for the council, us and, most importantly, the riders who currently rely on our shared e-bikes in the borough.”
Convoluted e-bike rules
The stand-off puts Voi on the other side of an argument it has itself raised over London’s e-bike rules.
Christina Moe-Gjerde, Voi’s vice president for Northern Europe, warned earlier this year that different approaches between councils were creating an “uneven playing field”.
“Some councils have developed strict procedures to penalise companies for poorly parked vehicles or for operating more e-bikes than allowed,” she wrote in LBC back in January.
“Meanwhile, in other areas, certain companies operate without council permission with seemingly little consequence.”
Voi’s position in Ealing is that the problem is the system itself rather than simply whether an operator has council permission.
“Voi has always supported high operating standards across London and continues to do so,” Foskin said. “Developments in Ealing simply highlight the broader challenge facing micromobility in the capital.”
The company has repeatedly called for a London-wide approach overseen by Transport for London, arguing that the current borough-by-borough system leaves operators facing different rules as riders cross council boundaries.
“We would like to see Transport for London expedite plans for a London-wide licensing framework,” Foskin added.
Fight for space intensifies
Forest last week said it had deployed 900 bikes across West Ealing, North Acton and Southall as part of its expansion in the borough, with more areas set to follow.
A Forest spokesperson told CityAM: “As London’s only homegrown operator, we’re pleased to be expanding our service into Ealing.”
“We look forward to working closely with Ealing Council to support a smooth transition and deliver a reliable service for residents and visitors across the borough.”
Forest has also announced plans to penalise riders caught breaking its rules through its “Forest Force” programme, with sanctions ranging from warnings and £20 penalties to temporary suspensions and permanent bans.
Ealing Council said it had not helped develop the initiative but would work with Forest to identify areas where it could be used.